Story by
Gameday Preview: Thunder Injury Report Hits Keep Coming
- Story by
- Gameday Preview: Thunder Injury Report Hits Keep Coming
(Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
The hits keep coming for Oklahoma City Thunder fans.
As every OKC supporter is still reeling from the heartbreaking news that both Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace suffered long term injuries requiring surgery, a couple more Thunder players popped up on the latest injury report. And not just any players.
Advertisement
Chet Holmgren will miss his second straight game on Wednesday night versus the Dallas Mavericks due to right knee patellar tendinitis. The All-NBA forward/center sat out Oklahoma City's game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, but most analysts and fans assumed that was due to the game being on the second night of a back to back set. The fact that OKC's undisputed second best player with Williams out will now be absent against the Mavs has caused a bit of concern amongst the fanbase. Hopefully, it is a minor setback and Holmgren will return to the court soon.
Alex Caruso will also miss the nationally televised matchup against Mavs. The two time All-Defense selection left the Suns game before halftime due to an ankle sprain. Caruso got tangled up with Dillon Brooks and fell to the court. He stayed down for a few moments before getting up on his own and walking with a slight limp to the locker room. The Thunder medical staff assisted the two time NBA champion down the tunnel. OKC head coach Mark Daigneault was asked about Caruso's injury in the postgame and he said that it was an ankle sprain, nothing else. Now Thunder fans will hope it's one of the mild, short term variety.
Hold on tight, Thunder fans. There's possibly one more.
Ajay Mitchell, fresh off a career high 30 point performance, also appeared on the injury report as questionable with an ankle sprain. Already down their secondary shot creator, scorer and playmaker in Williams, OKC would be at a real disadvantage without Mitchell. Think the 2026 Western Conference Finals. But this time also without Holmgren, Wallace, Caruso, Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
Advertisement
As it stands now, the Thunder will have either eight or nine healthy players from their regular roster available on Wednesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jared McCain, Jaylin Williams, Jared McCain, Kenrich Williams, Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz. And maybe Mitchell. OKC will also have their three two-way players in Brooks Barnhizer, Josh Dix and Micah Peavy.
The Thunder have the chance to become the first team to start 5-0 in three straight seasons with a win over Dallas. If OKC does indeed make some history on Wednesday night, they will have to overcome both the Mavs and the injury report.
